peer review

Arrange with a classmate to exchange your Exec Summaries or Powerpoint decks. (Or email me on Canvas if you would like me to help facilitate a peer review.) Up to three points extra credit for each student.

Upload a word doc here with the Peer Review that you write for your partner.

Include thorough and thoughtful answers to the following dozen questions. (Helpful hint: Read the entire form before you begin, if you wish to save yourself time and be eligible for full extra credit! :-)

Peer Review: Questions, Guidelines, and Lexicon

Composed by UW Bothell Writing Center and Professor Carol A. Shaw

Read your classmate’s entire paper or presentation deck before you begin. Focus on content and ideas, evidence and analysis, progression of logic, and flow of language. For executive summaries and presentation decks, consider organizational structure and layout , as well as visual appeal and relevance of images and infographics. Then go back and address the following 12 questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. In addition, it is helpful if you make comments directly on the pages, wherever you have questions, comments, or suggestions.

1. What is the central theme of this paper or presentation? Paraphrase and summarize the main points in one or two sentences.

2. What evidence or persuasive techniques does the author offer to support his or her position? (Identify all evidence and all techniques.)

3. What are the primary strengths of the paper or presentation?

4. What keeps you most engaged?

5. After reviewing the materials, do you still have any questions on who, what, when, where, how, and/or why?

6. What could make this paper stronger or more compelling? (e.g., personal storytelling, images, ideas, concrete specifics, factual evidence, quotations, conceptual interpretations....)

7. Does anything confuse you or seem incomplete? Do you need further information or definitions to understand context and/or fully engage? Where would you recommend further development?

8. Does the author cite sources in the text? Are quotations properly attributed?

9. How would you describe the content and tone: (Conversational? Professional? Personal? Intellectual...?)

10. Is the formatting and design work effective? impressive? Where might you suggest more revision? polish?

11. Wild card and review review: Add some key comments or suggestions here, using the editorial terms listed below. Then review your review answers above! Consider any tweaks and revisions: Can you add any of the following terms to your discussion points, compliments, and suggestions above?)

12. Close with a positive note of inspiration and encouragement!

Here is some terminology to incorporate in your reviews:

Depth—What are some of the complexities related to this leadership issue?

Breadth—Do we need to consider additional arguments or points of view?

Logic—Do the "arguments" make sense? Is there a logical flow of ideas? Does the conclusion follow from the evidence?

Significance—Is a particular fact, statement, or story important to the argument?

Clarity—Can you elucidate? elaborate? offer an example?

Accuracy—Have you checked these facts? Is the source reliable?

Precision—Can you be more specific? offer more details? 

Power—This is a powerful statement, image, piece of evidence, analysis. Impactful. Persuasive. Insightful.

Relevance—How does this relate to the issue? Show us the ties.

Emotional appeal—moving, understated, remarkable, evocative words or images that pull at our emotions.

Artfulness and creativity-- original idea. wonderful metaphor. inspirational story. beautiful language.